BIZ-SHIPBUILDING-BENGAL

HDPE docks renovation likely to be completed months ahead of
schedule
    Kolkata, Jan 13 (PTI) A special purpose vehicle formed
to modernise and renovate two non-functional docks of the
Hooghly Dock and Port Engineers (HDPE) is expected to complete
its job months ahead of the schedule, a top official said on
Monday.
    The shipbuilding and repairing is expected to resume
by October 2020 from operative dry docks of the HDPEL instead
of the scheduled target date of January 2021, HDPEL Chairman
Balaji Arun Kumar told PTI.
    This is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
interest to rejuvenate the eastern part of the country, he
said.
    A special purpose vehicle - Hooghly Cochin Shipyard
Ltd, a 24:76 per cent joint venture between the Cochin
Shipyards Ltd and the HDPE - had been set up for modernisation
and renovation of the two dry docks.
    "We are ahead of time. The SPV is expected to complete
the renovation and modernisation in September-October 2020,
ahead of the original schedule of January 2021," the HDPE
chairman said.
    Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) had signed the concession
agreement with the HDPE for taking over the old units at
Nazirgunge and Salkia on the bank of river Hooghly in Howrah
city on a 60-year lease and to operationalise the dry docks.
    The CSL paid Rs 22 crore initially and lined up Rs 160
crore in phases to turn these docks capable to manufacture and
repair with the latest equipment and technology in these dry
docks which were remaining non-functional for long.
    CSL officials could not be reached for their comments.
    In the first phase, the SPV is focusing on Nazirgunj
dock in which production of wide-bodied low-draft energy
efficient vessels and barges will be taken up.
    The ambitious National Waterway-1 between Haldia and
Allahabad augurs well for the fortune of the HDPE docks and
boost investment in West Bengal's shipping sector.
    The central government's 'Jal Marg Vikas Project' is
developing the National Waterway-1 at an estimated cost of Rs
4, 200 crore.
    The Centre recently unveiled Rs 102 lakh crore of
infrastructure projects that will be implemented in the next
five years and half of it will be invested in eastern states,
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
said here on Saturday. PTI BSM
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)